Animal Radio®

Having A Safe Halloween Halloween can be a fun time for your pets. But some animals just aren’t cut out for the holiday and would be safer cuddled inside on the night of trickery. Rodent Traps a Pet Hazard There’s a warning for pet owners after a cat was found with its head stuck in a rodent trap. The cat, which was seriously injured, was caught in a Fenn Trap, meant for squirrels and rats. Luckily the cat was found and rescued by a Good Samaritan. Since the incident last month, the SPCA is now calling on people to be aware that setting these traps could be breaking the law. Pets In The Classroom Have A Profound Impact A new study reveals having a pet in the classroom may provide real educational value through leadership skills and character building. Despite some of the challenges to having classroom pet, such as coping with loss and teachers spending their own money to care for the pet, the study found six objectives proving the benefit of caring for a classroom pet, like teaching children responsibility compassion, empathy, respect and leadership through animal care and providing relaxation when children are stressed. Cats With Jobs Author Lisa Rogek has found 50 cats that have jobs. This isn’t easy. Cats are notoriously not workers, unlike dogs. From Grumpy Cat to Kitty Models, Lisa will share the stories behind these frolicking felines. FREE Happy Healthy Dog Summit The Healthy Happy Dog Summit will train YOU to provide the happiest, healthiest life possible for your pup! You’ll see 30 world experts including Sonya Fitzpatrick (Animal Communication), Victoria Stillwell (Puppies 101) and Dr. Nicholas Dodman (How Dogs and People Communicate). The Happy Healthy Dog Summit is ONLINE and FREE. Learn more at: https://animalradio.com/

Standard Pacific Homes knows the 60-Billion-dollar pet industry has a place for homebuilding. 27 of their developments now include pet accouterments including a pet-spa and TV exclusively for Fido. Standard Pacific’s Danielle Tocco explains what they’re doing to cater to pet owners. Also, Assemblyman Carmela Garcia (Dem. N.J.) has written legislation that would outlaw piercings and tattoos on cats and dogs. Inspired by a lady that pierced her “gothic kittens,” Garcia feels this ban would stop a burgeoning fad. Also, The Animal Radio Hero Person, Debra Jo Chiapuzio helps supply fire departments with life-saving oxygen masks for dogs and cats. She loves her job and has a great passion to teach others pet-first-aid. Also, Apartments.com did the math in its Pet-Friendly Renting Trends Survey. It found that close to 80% of renters had to pay a deposit to have a pet and it was more than $200 per year in more than half the cases. About 64% of the people asked said they had a hard time finding an apartment that allowed pets even with a deposit.

Globe TV Critic (a great gig if you can get it) Matthew Gilbert investigates the dynamics of dog parks. He didn’t like dogs. In fact, he was afraid of them until his spouse introduced him to a dog that would forever change his view. Matt shares stories about the nutty fellow canine-lovers at his dog park. Also, Animal Radio Vets Dr. Marty Becker and Dr. Debbie are armed with flea-ridding tactics. Did you know that there are over a dozen different kind of fleas? There’s a difference between “cat” fleas and “dog” fleas. Most importantly, how do we get rid of them for good? We’ve got answers. Also, our Hero Person this week invented a bumper, or better described as a ‘halo,’ that protects blind dogs from bumping into furniture and other obstacles. Sylvie Bordeaux was tired of seeing her blind dog bash into stuff. With needle and thread in hand, she created a genius product that is helping vision-impaired pups from being discarded to shelters.

Celestis Pet will shoot your pet’s cremains into deep space, or to the moon, or even into orbit around the earth. The rocket and space technology company has been launching satellites and human remains for over a decade. Now, they want a piece of the 58-BILLION-dollar pet industry. Top Dog Stephen Eisele explains what you get for your $1,000. It’s pretty impressive! Also, TV Dog Trainer Justin Silver is back with his really funny friend, Dave Donnenfeld. Together they’re ‘righting’ canine ‘wrongs’ wherever bad dogs and bad guardians need them. “Their new book is the Rosetta Stone of Doglish,” says Animal Radio host Hal Abrams. Also, when you love your pet, you love your pet, no matter what breed or species he or she is. That explains the actions of a woman in Oregon. Sherrie Dolezal runs a bearded dragon rescue and came home the other day to see one of lizards named Del Sol floating unconscious in the pool. She got him out, started pounding on her back and doing chest compressions. She finally started CPR and he started breathing again. Del Sol and Sherrie are now doing just fine. Also, when his agent asked, “do you want to act or do you want to save animals,” after he kept missing auditions, he chose to dedicate his life to the creatures. That makes Leo Grillo, the founder of DELTA rescue, our ‘Hero Person.’ He has over 1500 animals on 115 acres. He doesn’t adopt-out any of these animals because his statistics say owners keep their animals only 2.5 year on average.

America’s most recognized Animal Advocate, TV Host Bob Barker is back on Animal Radio for his thirteenth time. This time he’s Animal Radio’s Hero of The Week. Also, from the “Duh” Department, a new study reveals that dogs are indeed capable of feeling jealousy. Who paid for the study? You did. What’s next? A study to determine if dogs dream? Anyone who lives with animals knows that they are capable of many of the same feelings humans encounter. Also, Dorothy Hunter made it to day 30 of eating dog food. It was all to prove a point about human-grade pet-foods. Animal Radio checked in on her throughout her stunt. Now we find out what she ate on day 30. While Dorothy first human-meal was a big-fat-cheeseburger, she admits to a shinier and healthier coat. Also, Divorce these days not only means splitting belongings and custody of the kids, it may also include visitation for the pet. In fact, that is now often the case when pet families are split-up. Vinnie Penn can’t keep his mouth shut about this topic…or any other topic for that matter.

This week’s Hero People are in prison. Female inmates are teamed up with a dog 24/7. Their mission is to train these shelter dogs to help autistic children. It’s a second chance for the inmates, the dog and the child. Program Director Janette Thomas explains how the Pups in Prison initiative is a win, win, win! Also, Animal Defense League’s Daniel Lutz is petitioning the courts to outlaw exotic hybrids of wild-cats. He says cats have been responsible for 14% of all the world’s extinctions since 1600. Will legislation make a difference in our ecosystem? Also, you’ve seen the mobile blood banks that routinely troll for human blood. But you’ve probably never seen a mobile blood bank for dogs. Kim Marryott saw the need and now she manages a program in Pennsylvania that collects the twelve different canine blood types for transfusions and other life-threatening procedures. And finally, if you have a mixed breed dog, you might consider getting him or her a DNA test. Not only will you find out just what combination of breeds went into your best friend, but Dr. David Linzey of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association says you might find out some valuable health information. But are these tests accurate. Animal Radio tested them - with different results.

Shannon Kopp spent the good part of a decade with an eating disorder. She would eat large amounts of food and then vomit 20 times a day. No therapist, doctor, or even rehab could cure her. She didn’t find relief until she met a dog. Also, Aimee Gilbreth comes up with some pretty unique ideas to raise money for her animal welfare organization. On the heels of the successful ‘6 Packs & 9 Lives’ calendar featuring buff men with cats, now she’s unleashed the Catty Wagon, adopting felines from a converted food truck that looks like an orange kitty. Also, just like any business, there are always people that give it a bad name. Same with Veterinarians. Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker has a list of red flags you should look out for. If you see one, you need to re-think your vet?

Dorothy Hunter is so confident the food she sells in her story in healthy that she’s eating nothing but pet-food for 30 days. We’ll find out the inspiration for this stunt and exactly how she is faring 13 days in. So far, the only issue seems to be a mild case of flatulence. Also, Brandon McMillan comes from a family of circus performers and is the host of CBS’s new Saturday morning show, “Lucky Dog.” Each week Brandon takes a shelter dog and trains them for a prospective new home. The program follows the entire process until the dog gets into his/her new forever home. Also, who would’ve thought it could be so easy to accidentally kill your bird. If you own a bird, or maybe planning to get one, you’ll need to hear the Top 10 Bird Dangers from Dr. Laurie Hess. You might be surprised at the hazards lurking within your household. And, this week’s Hero Person is 14 year-old Nicholas Nash. He helps find homes for adoptable animals and is building a shelter on his family land. A young person so passionate about the health and happiness of our four-legged friends - serves as a great model for future generations.

Clarissa Black is this week’s Hero Person. She created a service that matches returning soldiers with adoptable dogs. Some of our servicemen suffering from PTSD find the dogs to be extremely comforting and an important part of their recovery and rehabilitation. Also, Owen and his dog Haatchi have gone viral on YouTube. It’s the story of a little boy that overcomes his disease with the help of a dog. Owen’s father, Will Howkins tells the intriguing story behind the boy and his dog. And, prolific author Ace Collins entertains with warm and fuzzy conversation about his latest book that celebrates exceptional dogs. And as Lassie’s biographer, he has stories. Not only is Lassie alive, but SHE is now ten generations old. Also, there was a study done to see how many pet owners have had their dog or cat damage or destroy one of their electronic gadgets. The study found that male dogs are 86 times more likely than a female dog to wreck a gadget. So, the question, does an extended warranty cover pet damage? Turns out in many cases, they do.

Abe Geary pitched his pet-related idea to the sharks on ABC’s Shark Tank. He ended up turning down an offer that required too much equity. Now he’s on Animal Radio to share his Pet Paint with listeners. Abe tells us what it was like for him on the prime-time blockbuster show. His mere appearance on the TV show has driven sales. Also, Prince Lorenzo Borghese is back. This time we clear up any confusion about being related to Napoleon. Since being on the TV reality show The Bachelor, almost a decade ago, he’s been actively involved with his high-end boutique pet line, and he’s been advocating for our furry-friends. Also, former veterinarian turned poet, entertainer and philosopher Baxter Black is back and you will be thoroughly entertained by this odd character and his turkey tribute.

Can our pets suffer from the same psychological illnesses as humans? How did Prozac find its way into veterinarian’s offices? What good is anthropomorphizing? Laurel Braitman has answers to these burning questions. Also, with our pet-store shelves stocked to the ceiling with a confusing array of pet-foods, does it really make a difference if you feed your dog something cheap off the shelves of Wal-Mart? You might be surprised at the answer. Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker reveals the truth behind pet-foods. Also, our new segment celebrating those that do good for the animals is getting high-acclaims. This week we’re spotlighting Linda Spurlin-Dominik. She helps care for pets of deployed military personnel.

Kris Rotonda created an online dating website specifically for dog owners. He says if he’s going to date anyone, they’ve got to love his dog. And let’s face it, single dog guardians have a rougher time of it because of their furry-children. Also, The Animal Radio Hero Person this week spends his mornings outside the Los Angeles Coliseum giving out free training to dog owners…and especially pit-bull parents. At times Cornelius Austin “The Dog Man” will have up to 50 people at his free clinic. Cornelius wants you to know that pit-bulls are getting a bad rap! His goal is to train the owners because he believes they can make a difference with their dog’s temperament. Also, The Center for Pet Safety is behind this first scientific approach to pet product safety in the U.S., providing guidelines for vehicular pet-restraint systems. The Center has even created a series of Crash Test Dogs, just like the Crash Test Dummies that are used by auto makers to check out the effectiveness of safety features in cars.

Dr. Stanley Coren is back! This time he’s toting his research about the breeds of dogs that are being blacklisted by homeowners and liability insurance. Allstate claims one third of their claims last year included a dog. Also, author Stan Yocum is the Hero Person this week because he spends countless hours training & fostering service dogs for Canine Companions for Independence. After bonding with these awesome animals for 18-months, Stan must say “goodbye” when they go to their forever home. Also, most dogs and cats love to chase laser pointers, but they could have some unintended consequences on your pet’s psyche. Dr. Nicholas Dodman says that if you use a laser pointer too often, your dog can get so obsessed with chasing the light that they develop behavior problems. Never getting to the point of actually catching the ‘prey’ can drive a dog slightly nuts.

Dogs and cats generally don’t exhibit pain. This is a trait designed mostly to protect themselves in the wild. However, research now shows that when they are alone in a room they do show signs of pain, until someone enters the room. Dr. Annie Forslund tells us how to recognize pain in our pets. Also, over 3000 volunteer pilots fly 250 mile jaunts to bring adoptive animals to new homes or hospitals. This non-profit agency regularly moves animals from dogs and cats to donkeys. Kathleen Quinn Charleston explains the Pilots n’ Paws mission. Also, great invention or insane idea? You decide if Johnny Dumas has a sensible solution to prevent dogs from attacking your dog. He’s designed a spike-filled coat of armor that protects the vital organs against bites.

Have you ever wanted to lick your cat? We all know grooming has incredible bonding effects. Tara O’Mara and her hubby Jason invented an over-sized tongue shaped brush that humans may put in their mouth and then groom their kitties, just like their mom. Also, Brigette Brouillard lives in Kentucky where she rescues and rehabs wild animals. At any moment you could see an opossum scurrying through the house or ‘Justin Beaver’ building a dam out of toys and household furniture.